The aim of this year´s Congress was to encourage the presentation of knowledge and experience of nurses who provide care to neurological patients, presenting the topics on research in neuroscience. The Congress was preceded with the nursing course of 2nd category titled Research in neuroscience held on April 7, 2016. The course and congress invited lecturers are the prominent experts from the field of research in health care in Croatia: prof. Jelka Petrak, PhD., prof. Damir Lučanin, PhD., Dr.sc. Biserka Sedić, prof., prof. Petar Kes, PhD, prof. Vanja Bašić Kes, PhD., prof. Alvisa Palese, PhD and Christina Razzini, RN.

The Conference of the Neuroscience Nursing Initiative Alps-Danube-Adriatic included the presentation of the knowledge and experience also related to the topic of research in neuroscience. The conference was an opportunity to exchange experiences on clinical nursing procedures and decisions based on the interpretation of scientific evidence.

Invited speakers gave the presentation of the research work in the field of the most common neurological or rare diseases and in the field of the application of specific drugs and therapeutic procedures.

The upcoming 12th WFNN Congress was widely introduced and promoted. The congress web site was shown to the participants and the rules and the guidelines on abstract submission presented and discussed. All congress participants were motivated to join 12th WFNN Congress in 2017.

There were a total of 37 lectures held, 3 satellite symposiums, one workshop on communication and motivational interview in the field of nursing and one workshop on the research in neuroscience. A total of 125 participants from Croatia and neighboring countries attended the congress.

The Book of Abstracts is available in the National and University Library in Zagreb. The Congress and the Conference were accredited and evaluated in accordance with the national rules of the Croatian Chamber of Nurses.

The CNAN President Lenka Kopačević was awarded a prize for special recognition of the immeasurable contribution in the promotion of nursing and strengthening the regional cooperation of neuroscience nurses by the representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina (National BiH Chamber President).

8th CNAN CONGRESS CONCLUSION1. During the upcoming year and CNAN professional activities in that period, the focus will be on the organization of the workshop about the research in neuroscience with following guidelines:

1. The representatives of the country members proposed the intensification of training relating to the nursing research in neuroscience.2. Joint appearance at the upcoming WFNN Congress of nurses in neuroscience.3. Actively engage aiming to strengthening nursing profession in the field of neurology in the region.

CONGRESS AND CONFERENCE EVALUATION RESULTS
a) The interesting and attractive topics issue on average rated with 4 (score range 3-5)
b) Applicability of the content in practice on average rated with 4 (score range 1-16)
c) The amount of new knowledge gained on average rated with 4 (score range 3-5)
d) The organization of the Congress / Conference on average rated with 5 (range score 3-5)
e) The content of the written material on average rated with 4 (score range 3-5)
f) The fulfillment of expectations on average rated with 4 (score range 2-5)
e) The overall Congress/ Conference success on average assessed with 5 (score range 3-5)

Congress/Conference strengths
Most responses were related to satisfaction with the organization and communication between participants. Participants have gained new insights and new knowledge from the interesting speakers and received meaningful information about how and what others are doing in other institutions. It was particularly important for the participants that other physicians were engaged in presenting topics, while the broader perspective of neuroscience was presented - diversity and specificity of the topics (e.g. rare diseases). The participants of the Congress/Conference also praised the atmosphere which was evaluated as relaxing with the pleasant social activities, primarily due to CNAN President organization.

Congress/Conference shortcomings
Most criticism concerned the overlap of interesting lectures which were held simultaneously at two locations and not respecting presentation timings. The lack of publications of the research was noted. The participants were missing more free time and congress trips/tours, as well as more interaction between the speakers and the audience (discussion).

The satisfaction with the work of CNAN was rated with 5 (range score 3-5).

Activities of CNAN during the 19 years of existence the participants estimated very useful and necessary in generating and sharing knowledge and experience. The Association granted the members an opportunity to participate in the important discussions related to the development and prosperity of nursing.

To reach the desired goal – the higher level of education and stronger status of the profession, helpful proved to be the perseverance, motivation and desire for knowledge and skills coming from the association and the SUPPORT FROM THE ENVIRONMENT - loved ones, colleagues and superiors. Also, the association work continuity was assesses as very important.

Satisfaction with the offer on the field of neuroscience within the nursing profession is judged as sufficient and average, with the plenty of room for progress and greater interest.

The proposals for better and different activities of the Association in the future:
· The equal division of tasks between the members of the presidency
· More engagement around education, labor (e.g. shift work) and the rights of nurses
· Better media promotion of the profession within the neurosciences, but also better promotion for the future Congress
· Greater involvement of nurses in general
· Better mutual support